GLOBAL: Every $1 delivers $20 worth of meals with Annual Food Distribution Appeal
Salesian Missions launches Annual Food Distribution Appeal, delivering critical food aid to those most in need
(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, has launched its Annual Food Distribution Appeal, enabling donors to multiply their gift many times over by turning a $1 donation into $20 of critical nutrition. Thanks to ongoing partnerships with international humanitarian aid organizations that donate the food—and the established, trusted presence of Salesian Missions in more than 130 countries—life-saving meals are ready for those who need them most. Salesian Missions needs donor help to transport the meals from shipping docks to Salesian program locations around the globe.
An estimated 135 million people in 55 countries around the world faced acute levels of hunger in 2019, according to the 2020 Global Report on Food Crises, released on April 20. This is the highest level of acute hunger seen since the report’s 2017 inception. Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its staggering impact, global experts now predict that this number will nearly double by the end of 2020.
Those who were already dealing with conditions of hunger and poverty are now the ones who are most impacted. For the world’s poorest, malnutrition and food insecurity are expected to increase significantly, and without immediate intervention, these men, women and children literally risk starvation through no fault of their own.
Salesian Missions has ongoing partnerships with other humanitarian organizations, like Rise Against Hunger and Feed My Starving Children, that donate tons of nutritious food for desperately hungry children and families around the world who participate in Salesian programs.
In 2019, Rise Against Hunger rice-meals were shipped to Salesian programs in Cambodia, Burundi, East Timor, Swaziland and Uganda. These meals improved the lives and health of thousands of youth. Salesian food programs provide meals to students during the school day and serve as an incentive for families to send their children to school. As a result of the feeding programs, students are thriving. Many have gained weight, suffer fewer illnesses and have become more focused on their studies. In addition, teachers are seeing better student performance in class, a decrease in absenteeism and an increase in program enrollment rates.
“Salesian missionaries live and work in the communities in which they serve and are perfectly positioned to effectively and efficiently distribute goods and supplies,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions. “Missionaries know the local and political landscape and have the resources to ensure that this aid reaches those most in need. Our donors are an integral part of ensuring this aid reaches youth who depend on Salesian programs for food, water, shelter and education.”
More than 30,000 Salesian missionaries are dedicated to caring for poor and at-risk youth in programs around the globe. Salesian programs assist poor and disadvantaged youth through education (academic, trade and agriculture), and workforce development initiatives, emergency relief and humanitarian aid, infrastructure support, clean water initiatives, and nutritional and health services.
To learn more and make a donation, visit SalesianMissions.org/lp/food.
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Sources:
Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)
International Food Policy Research Institute – Global Report on Food Crises: 135 million in 55 countries faced acute hunger in 2019
*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in these countries were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.
